Music

Career Potential

Hofstra music majors graduate with a combination of classroom instruction and professional experiences that is highly regarded in today's competitive job market.

Each one of the seven music major tracks (history/literature, jazz and commercial music, six music major tracks, music performance, music theory/composition, music education and music business) presents students with a conservatory-based foundation in history, theory, and ear-training.

Hundreds of our alumni in music education are successful band, choral, and general music teachers throughout the country, especially the Northeast. Alumni from our Music Business program include the president of D'Addario and Co. (one of the leading manufacturers of guitar and bowed instrument strings, Evans drumheads, and Planet Waves guitar accessories) and the vice president of A&R and advertising at Warner/Chappell Music. Additionally, the founder of Hofstra's Music Business program (who is also a Hofstra alumnus and currently a professor emeritus of music) co-invented the Moog Synthesizer in 1964, revolutionizing the music industry.

See Where Music Alumni Are Now

Among 2020-2021 Hofstra graduates who majored in music, 100% of survey respondents reported that they were employed and/or attending or planning to attend graduate school within one year of graduation. Among those recent Hofstra graduates who majored in the arts and humanities and who reported salary, the mean annual self-reported salary was $49,000.

Examples of companies where recent graduates are working:

  • ABKCO Music & Records, Inc.
  • D'Addario & Co.
  • Discoveries Preschool
  • EMFB Music
  • Farmingdale Music Center
  • Floating Opera New York
  • Georgia State University
  • Heritage Hotel & Conference Center
  • JN Management
  • Literacy Link
  • Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.
  • Nassau Community College
  • National Amusements
  • Paramount Pictures
  • ProSound Music
  • Spirit Music Group
  • Tri-Cities Opera
  • TuneCore
  • Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts
  • Viacom Media Networks
  • The Vocal Company

Examples of Industries Where Our Alumni are Currently Working

  • Music Education
  • Music Management
  • Music Marketing
  • Music Publishing
  • Music Supervisor
  • Performance Groups (i.e., orchestras, bands, symphonies)
  • Performance Venues
  • Public Relations for the Music Industry
  • Record Labels
  • Recording Studios
  • Sound Engineering

Additionally, many of our graduates are pursuing or planning to pursue advanced degrees in music and music education at institutions such as CUNY Brooklyn College, CUNY Queens College, Georgia State University, Hebrew College, Hofstra University, Roosevelt University, and Vermont College of Fine Arts-Music.

Information on various careers that may be of interest to Hofstra University Music Department majors are available in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, such as Musicians and Singers; Music Directors and Composers; Broadcasting and Sound Engineering Technicians; and Producers and Directors.

Alumni outcomes data is based on the results of Hofstra’s annual Alumni Outcomes Survey and other reliable sources. Of the 1,429 undergraduate students who graduated between August 2020 and May 2021, data was collected via surveys and other reliable sources resulting in knowledge about the outcomes for 67% of the 2020-2021 undergraduate alumni. Salary data is self-reported voluntarily by students and is based upon a 47% response rate for full-time employed undergraduate survey respondents. Salary figures include only annual base salary. They do not include bonus, commission, or any other guaranteed compensation.

See alumni outcome reports in their entirety.


Music Department Alumni

A Sampling of “Where Are They Now?”

Dennis DelGaudio '91

Dennis DelGaudio '91

Dennis was the lead guitarist in the hit Broadway musical Movin' Out and also played guitar in the Broadway productions of Jersey Boys and Grease. He performed with Billy Joel for the historic final performances at Shea Stadium.

 

D'Addario

James D'Addario '72, BA in Music

Jim D'Addario is chairman and CEO of D'Addario & Company Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of musical instrument accessories marketed under six proprietary brands: D'Addario strings; Evans drumheads; ProMark drumsticks; PureSound; Rico reeds; and Planet Waves cables and accessories. A family-owned and operated business with more than 1,100 employees worldwide...more

McCarthy

Mitchell McCarthy '10

Today, this music theory and composition major is a Brooklyn-based composer, orchestrator, and producer who has written music for small ensemble, large ensemble, solo piano, voice, and electronics. He has collaborated with a wide range of musicians across the United States and Europe. Recent premieres include performances at the Queen Elisabeth Hall (Antwerp), the Palais des Beaux-Arts (Brussels), The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall (New York City), and the New World Symphony Center (Miami). As a student, he had a unique opportunity to travel to the Czech Republic with a faculty member to work on a Christmas album by singer Katrina Swift.

Vollmer

Brian Vollmer

Brian earned a BS and MA in Music Education at Hofstra. As an undergraduate student, he founded The Hofbeats, a coed a cappella group. He is currently an elementary school band director in Hicksville, NY...more

Mike Ceglio '11

Mike Ceglio '11

Mike is director of rights management at UnitedMasters, an artist services and music distribution company. During his senior year at Hofstra, he completed some high-profile internships – one for B.B. King Blues Club and Highline Ballroom and second at the recording studio Body in Motion Music...more

Kaitlyn Davis

Kaitlyn Davis '12

Kaitlyn Davis’ childhood wish was to play Christine Daaé in Phantom of the Opera. Growing up on Long Island, she performed in so many community theater productions, she had to be homeschooled. After graduating from Hofstra in 2012 with a degree in Music Education, and receiving a master’s in Opera Performance at Rutgers, she landed the part of her dreams in Phantom’s North American tour. ...more

  • KELLY ANDERSON (BSEd ’12)
    Brooklyn College: MM in Vocal Performance
  • MEGAN BASTOS (BSEd ’11)
    Grand Street Band: Principal Horn
    P.S. 42 Claremont Elementary: General Music Teacher
  • STEVEN BAKER (BS in JAZZ & COMMERCIAL ’11)
    New York University: Assistant (Office of the Provost)
    New York University Abu Dhabi: Arts & Humanities Faculty Recruitment Administrator
    New York University: MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs
  • JARED BERRY (BSEd ’10)
    University of Georgia: MM in Choral Conducting ‘12
    New York State Summer School of the Arts – School of Choral Studies: Assistant Director for Administration
    St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School: Director of Choirs
    Blue Hill Troupe: Concert and Choral Music Director
  • CHARLES BLUEWEISS (BS in PERFORMANCE ’09)
    Manhattan School of Music: MM in Vocal Performance
  • ALEX BONNIN (BS in MERCHANDISING ’11)
    Sony Music: Release Planning for Columbia & Epic Records
    Church of the Epiphany of NYC: Bass Section Leader
    West End Temple: Soloist
  • DAVID BRIDGES (BS in THEORY/COMPOSITION ’08)
    Queens College: MA in Composition
    CUNY Graduate Center: PhD in Composition
    Brooklyn College: Teacher
  • KRISTIN BROWN (BS in PERFORMANCE ’06)
    San Francisco Conservatory: MM in Vocal Performance ‘08
    University of California at Berkeley: PhD in Musicology
  • MICHAEL BRUZIK (BS)
    New York Institute of Technology: MA in Broadcasting
  • KIM CAI (BSEd ’11)
    New York City Schools: Teacher
  • ERIN TOSCANO CITRANO (BSEd ’07)
    St. Martin de Porres School, Uniondale: Director of Middle School Bands and Coordinator of Fine Arts
  • WILL COPPOLA (BS in MERCHANDISING ’08)
    P.S. 31 in Bayside: Teacher
    New York University: MA in Music Education ’10
  • SUSAN NAPODANO DELGIORNO (BS in MERCHANDISING ‘92)
    General Manager: eOne Music (Koch) Classical Label
  • JOSEPHINE DELLADERA (BSEd ’10)
    University of Georgia: MM in Vocal Performance ‘12
    Voice Teacher: University of Georgia Community Music School
    Festival of the Aegean (Syros, Greece): Soprano
  • MANDY DESHRAGE (BSEd ’02, MA in CONDUCTING ‘04)
    South Woods Middle School, Syosset: Band/General Music Teacher
    Nassau-Suffolk Honor Band Grades 7-8: Conductor
  • KAREN LEHMAN DIMARTINO (BSEd ’07)
    Sayville High School: Chorus Director
    USDAN Summer Camp for the Arts: Director of Senior Chorus and Vocal Jazz
    American Chamber Ensemble: Soprano
    Manhattan School of Music: MM in Vocal Performance ’09
  • CHAKIRA DOHERTY (MSEd ’11)
    Bellmore-Merrick Elementary School: Teacher
  • MICHELLE EMERIC (BSEd ’09, MAEd ‘11)
    SUNY Fredonia: Opera Performance
    Hicksville High School: Choral Director
  • CHRISTY EMMOND (BSEd ’10)
    Hofstra University: Special Education
  • ANDREW FALLU (BSEd ’11)
    Teacher: Waldorf School, Garden City
  • KIMBERLY FELTKAMP (BS ’11)
    Bard College Conservatory of Music: Graduate Vocal Arts Program
    Delaware Valley Opera: Singer
  • JESSICA GAGLIONE (MS)
    Long Beach School District: Teacher
  • BOB GAVIN (BSEd ’10)
    Middletown Middle School: Teacher
  • MELANIE GLADSTONE (BSEd ‘06)
    School for the Deaf and the Blind, SC: Music and Dance Teacher
    Music and Dance in Schools for the Deaf; Performing Arts and Deaf Culture: Researcher
  • ROB GOLD (BS in MERCHANDISING ‘11)
    Independent Films: Music Supervisor
    Creative Services at Imagem Music Publishing: Department Assistant
  • JESSICA HALL (BSEd ’07)
    SUNY Stony Brook University: MA in Education
    Nassau Suffolk Performing Arts: Artist in Residence
    Bethpage Schools: Band and Orchestra Teacher
  • GEORGE HEMSCHER (BS in PERFORMANCE ’11)
    Manhattan School of Music: MM in Collaborative Piano
  • DEVON HUHN (BSEd ’08)
    Long Island Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company: Soprano
    Freelance, Long Island and New York City: Soprano
    Boston Conservatory: MM in Vocal Performance ’10
  • KATY HYLTON (BS in THEORY/COMPOSITION ’08)
    Eastman School of Music: MM in Choral Conducting
    Blair Academy, NJ: Director of Choirs
  • KRISSY KAPLAN (BSEd ’09)
    Rockville Centre School District: Teacher
  • KELBY KHAN (BSEd ’09)
    Boston Conservatory: MM in Choral Conducting
    First Church of Baldwin, NY: Accompanist
    Private Voice/Piano Teacher
  • STEPHANIE KOCHER (BS in MERCHANDISING ’11)
    University of London (Goldsmiths College): MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy
    New London Orchestra: Intern; Project Manager for “Orchitecture”
  • BEN MALKEVITCH (BA in PERFORMANCE ‘06)
    Cleveland Institute of Music: MM in Collaborative Piano
    San Francisco Bay Area: Freelance
  • MIKE MARG (BSEd ‘10)
    West Islip Public Library: Computer Technician
    Freelance Musician, Long Island: Trumpet
  • CRAIG MARTIN (BSEd ‘11)
    Atlantic City, NJ: Teacher
    South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble: Tuba
    South Jersey Vagabonds Drum and Bugle Corps: Tuba
  • MITCHELL MCCARTHY (BS in THEORY/COMPOSITION’10)
    Freelance Composer
    Gemini Youth Orchestra: Production Manager and Cover Conductor
  • QUINN MCCLURE (BSEd ’08)
    M.S. 72, Jamaica: Teacher
    Teachers College (Columbia University): MA in Music Education ’10
  • KEVIN MECCHELLA (BSEd ’09)
    New York City: Freelance Musician
  • JOEL MELTZER (BSEd ’11)
    Hartt School of Music: MM in Euphonium Performance
    Connecticut Hurricanes Drum & Bugle Corps: Member
  • KATY METZ (BSEd ’11)
    Las Vegas, NV: Teacher
    Private Piano Instructor
  • LAURA MILLAR (BS in PERFORMANCE ’09)
    River College: MA in English Education
  • BRENDA NARELL (MA)
    Kellenberg High School: Teacher
  • KATIE NOONAN (BSEd ’08; MA in WIND CONDUCTING ‘12)
    Middle County School District: Teacher
  • KIRA NOVAK (BSEd ’11)
    Northeastern: MS in Counseling
  • CHELSEA OLIVARES (HOFSTRA ’11)
    North Carolina: Education
  • RACHEL PANTORNO (BS in PERFORMANCE ’11)
    Hofstra University: MSEd in Music Education
  • CHRISTINA PECCE (BSEd ’11)
    Boston Conservatory: MM in Opera Studies
  • GAIL PELLEGRINO (BSEd ’98)
    General Music & Chorus K-6 in Haverhill, MA: Teacher
    Windham Concert Band, NH: Performer
  • JUSTIN PETERSON (BSEd '08)
    Three Village Schools: Teacher
  • MARC RATNER (MS)
    Mineola Middle School: Teacher
  • REBECCA REYNOLDS (BS in PERFORMANCE ’11)
    NYC Teaching Fellows: Special Education
    Private Viola/Violin Instructor
  • ALYSSA RIZUTTO (BS in PERFORMANCE ’11)
    M.S. 72 in Jamaica, Queens: Band Director
    Queens College: Master's program
  • MICHAEL ROGERS (MA)
    Valley Stream School District: Teacher
  • ANTHONY ROMEO (BSEd ’95, MA in WIND CONDUCTING ‘99)
    Seaford High School: Band Director
    Symphonic Band of Suffolk: Member
  • DINA ROSAS (MA ‘11)
    P.S. 140 The Duke Ellington School in Jamaica: Music Director
    Band of Long Island: Clarinet
  • CHRISTINA RUSSO (BSEd ’11)
    Rockville Centre School District: Teacher
  • ANDRES SOTO (BS in THEORY/COMPOSITION ’09)
    New York University: MM in Film Scoring
  • SHERILL SPRUILL (MA ‘10)
    Freeport Middle School: Chorus Director
  • JEANNINE STURM (MSEd ’07)
    University of Arizona: PhD in Music Education
    University of Arizona String Project: Director
    Tucson Unified School District: Teacher
  • KATE TAUCHES (BSEd ’07, MA ‘09)
    Massapequa School District: General Music Teacher
  • JENN TRIQUET (BS in MERCHANDISING ‘00)
    Studio Instrumental Rentals (SIR) USA: Marketing Director and Artist/Vendor Relations Manager
    NAMM Young Professionals for Music Industry: Board Member
  • BRIAN VOLLMER (BSEd ’11)
    Hofstra University: MA in Music Education
    Hofstra University: Undergraduate Admission Graduate Assistant
    St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Amityville: Staff Singer
  • LAURA WASDO (MA)
    Sachem School District: Teacher
  • DAN WENDELKEN (BSEd ’12)
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: MM in Jazz Performance
    Delaware Valley Opera: Performer
    Funkin’ A: Performer